peter
Chiefly followed by out: originally, of a vein of ore: to be depleted of oreChiefly followed by out: originally (mining), of a vein of ore: to be depleted of ore; now (generally), to diminish to nothing; to dwindle, to trail off.
» The initial momentum has already petered out.
Der anfängliche Schwung ist schon erlahmt.
Meaning
2 senses(intransitive)Chiefly followed by out: originally (mining), of a vein of ore: to be depleted of ore; now (generally), to diminish to nothing; to dwindle, to trail off.
(intransitive)Synonym of blue peter; to call for trump by throwing away a high card while holding a lower one.
Examples
5 sentencesThe initial momentum has already petered out.
deDer anfängliche Schwung ist schon erlahmt. — al_ex_an_der
Our relationship eventually petered out.
I had a lot of gumption when I was young, but now it seems to have all petered out.
The Gall-Peters map projection was a subject of controversy.
deDie Gall-Peters-Projektion war umstritten. — Tamy
Tom's Bible reading group petered out after a few months through lack of interest.
deToms Bibellesegruppe löste sich nach einigen Monaten wegen mangelnden Interesses in Wohlgefallen auf. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Origin
Clipping of blue peter (“play a high card to call for trump”). See further etymology theClipping of blue peter (“play a high card to call for trump”). See further etymology there.
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Forms
peters, petering, petered, peteredSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle